Essendon defender Mason Redman ranks as AFL’s most consistent player to Round 15

Mason Redman is one of the unheralded members of Essendon’s backline, but ranks as the most reliable player in the AFL this year. Who is your club’s most consistent performer?

Tom Stewart soars above a pack to mark against Port Adelaide. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Darcy Moore’s importance to Collingwood has been emphasised by statistics which reveal the key defender is one of the AFL’s most consistent players.

Champion Data statistics show Moore ranks third in the competition for ranking points consistency, behind Essendon’s Mason Redman and Melbourne’s Josh Wagner.

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After being restricted to seven games last season due to injury, Moore has scored between 64 and 79 in nine of his 11 matches, averaging 15.5 disposals and 4.6 marks in 2019.

“He’s certainly shored up their defence,” Magpies premiership player Mick McGuane said.

“I would love to see over an extended period of time how Moore and (Tom) Langdon operate.

“I reckon we’d be talking in similar volumes to (Tom) Barrass, (Shannon) Hurn and (Jeremy) McGovern.

“Them as a team within the team would be quite formidable.

“From an individual standpoint he’s very good one-on-one and he’s proven that on a number of occasions this year.

“He backs his judgment in the air which I like in a defender.”

Essendon's Mason Redman has been the most consistent player of 2019. Picture: Michael Klein.

Moore ranks fourth among players with an average of 70 ranking points or more for reliability behind Geelong’s Tom Stewart (101.1 points), Hawthorn midfielder James Worpel (89) and dumped Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder (83.8).

“I see a really driven individual that has lived in the land of hurt and frustration,” McGuane, who recently spoke to Moore for an exclusive one-on-one interview, said.

“Which has been outside of his control because his body has failed him at times. But the way he has attacked his rehab … it’s made him a consistent contributor this year.”

Redman ranks as the most consistent AFL player after 14 rounds with a standard deviation of 8.4 ranking points.

The developing Bomber had only played five games before this year but has averaged 16 disposals, five marks and 2.7 tackles per game this year.

His standard deviation is 1.2 points ahead of Wagner, with Moore 1.5 points behind the fringe Demon.

After 24 matches, Worpel has already established himself as a key member of Hawthorn’s engine room.

The 20-year-old has had at least 20 disposals in 12 of his 13 games this year, helping fill the void left by Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell’s season-ending injury.

Darcy Moore has proven his value to Collingwood in defence after overcoming injury. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett.

Geelong Falcons talent manager Michael Turner still regards Worpel as one of the greatest draft steals in his time at the NAB League footy factory.

Worpel led the Falcons to a premiership in his draft year, which Turner spent urging AFL clubs to pay close attention to the ball-winning ability of a midfielder he likened to Taylor Adams and Ben Cunnington.

“The James Worpel one, in my time, it’s probably one of the biggest shocks I’ve had that he went pick No. 45 in the draft,” Turner told the Herald Sun this week.

“He’s proven them wrong.”

Turner said he Worpel’s professionalism had enabled him to make the jump from under-18 football to AFL level with little fuss.

“The biggest thing with all players once they go to AFL clubs, as long as they have got that attitude that they are going to work hard to improve, they will improve,” he said.

“He’s been fantastic.”

Josh Wagner has been a reliable performer for Melbourne this year. Picture: Michael Klein

All-Australian defender Stewart has been the most consistent player with an average ranking above 100, followed by Western Bulldogs half-back flanker Caleb Daniel (103.6) and Sydney’s Jake Lloyd (116.2).

Geelong VFL coach Shane O’Bree, one of the key figures in Stewart’s successful transition to the AFL ranks, said the 26-year-old’s reliability was one of his strengths.

“He puts a lot of work into his game on and off the field which helps him be a consistent player,” O’Bree said.

“Now (reliability) is really importance because of no runners. You want all your players having a good knowledge of the game and awareness.

“Tom is very good at that … he knows our game plan inside and out.”

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Tom Stewart soars above a pack to mark against Port Adelaide. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images.